Legislation and Rules

LPAT’s jurisdiction and authority are derived from many different public and private statutes, which give specific jurisdiction and authority to LPAT to hear appeals of certain municipal decisions. These statutes include, but are not limited to:

The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act (SPPA) establishes LPAT’s general powers and authorize the Tribunal to enact Rules of Practice and Procedure. Below is a link to our Rules:

These Rules govern how the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal conducts hearings and explains the processes of the tribunal.

Legislation

The Planning Actgoverns land use planning and development in the province of Ontario. LPAT may hear appeals based on the decisions of single tier, lower tier, upper tier municipal governments. The Act sets out who is eligible to make an appeal to LPAT, and the procedures that must be followed to do so.

The Aggregate Resources Act provides for the standards and policies that aggregate and petroleum industries must comply with. The Act aims to ensure long-term management of resources and reduces negative impacts on the public. LPAT may hear objections or referrals of licence applications.

The Development Charges Act, 1997 grants municipalities the right to impose charges on property owners when developing or redeveloping land. The fees charged are to help pay for new services and infrastructure needed for growth. The Act also provides for Education Development Charges.

The Expropriations Act provides for a means for those expropriated to receive fair compensation when their lands are expropriated or affected by nearby expropriation. It also sets out the authority and process that must be followed in order to expropriate.

The Consolidated Hearings Act provides a streamlined hearing process for municipal, private and provincial projects or proposed activities that might otherwise require hearings by more than one tribunal or files that fall under one or more pieces of legislation.

The Ontario Heritage Actgives municipalities and the provincial government powers to preserve the heritage of Ontario. The primary focus of the Act is the protection of heritage buildings, cultural heritage, natural landscapes and archaeological sites. LPAT hears appeals of certain municipal decisions related to heritage preservation.